Obituaries

OBITUARIES Information for the obituaries and funeral notices below was supplied to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Department by funeral homes. For more information including cost and deadlines contact the advertising department at (501) 378-3889.

BELLA VISTA — Carole L. Vogt, 65, passed away Aug. 30, 2018, at home. She was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Dec. 18, 1952, to John and Elsie (Kraemer) Vogt.

She lived in Minnesota, Iowa, Texas and New York before moving to Bella Vista in 2008. She was a graduate of Humboldt High School. She attended Winona State University, University of Minnesota and Rosemount Training College.

Carole worked for various businesses in her lifetime and was especially skilled in customer relations as she approached people in a friendly and understanding way. She was an avid reader, expert seamstress, enjoyed cooking, landscaping, and spending time with her cat. Her sense of humor and adventure often made her “the life of the party.”

She was a Christian and used The Fellowship Bible Church Services online.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. Survivors and those who will miss her dearly include her best friend and soulmate, Greg Steelsmith; her sister Janet Hopfner; and friends and extended family in New York, Texas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Iowa.

Arrangements have been provided by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Ark. In accordance to Carole’s wishes there will be no funeral services. Please joyfully remember her life.

FAYETTEVILLE — Doris Hughes Cowden, 82, ended her long journey through this life on Aug. 31, 2018, with family beside her. Doris was born in Ashdown, Ark., on Nov. 30, 1935, to Charles Hughes and Arla Helms Hughes.

She spent her formative years in Gillham, Ark., where her mother and father operated a small grocery store. In 1949, the family moved to Fayetteville, Ark. Doris graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1953. She completed three years at the University of Arkansas before being swept away by a young Air Force lieutenant, David Cowden, for a life of family, travel, and adventure.

She began her second career as a secretary in 1979, which culminated in becoming administrative assistant to the dean of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the university she had once attended. She gave her advice, assistance, and support to all who came to her. Her only desire was to make Fulbright College the best it could be.

Finally, Doris was a master gardener with a passion and love for all growing things. She created and tended a beautiful garden for her family that gave them immense pleasure. She assisted Susie Brooks in judging potted plants at the Washington County Fair and answered many inquiries about gardening. Doris loved black coffee, raising orchids, hosting large dinners for family and friends and settling down with a good book.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her family and friends grieve her loss. Her suffering has now ended and ours has begun. She was well cared for at the end of her life at The Gardens at Arkanshire with assistance from NAPS and also in the Willard Walker Hospice Home.

Remembrances may be made to Fulbright College or the Willard Walker Hospice Home Foundation.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Lt. Col. David Allen Cowden; children Gretchen Ewen (Cowden) and husband professor Charles Ewen; Melissa Drake Johnson (Cowden); David Allen Cowden, Jr. and wife Angie; Patrick McGee Cowden and wife Maria; Julie Starbird (Cowden) and husband Neal; grandchildren Gretchen Berry, Kathryn and Madeline Ewen; Emily Elaine Johnson; Fletcher and Spencer Cowden; and Jacob and Sarah Cowden; great-grandchild, Ethan Scallorn; sister-in-laws Julia Hughes Jones and Linda Beene Ballard; and adoptions of the heart Amber Kandur and Dan Wallace. Lastly, Doris’s dearest friends, Carol O’Connor, and Lynn Fisher. Doris was predeceased by her parents, professor Charles Hughes and Arla Helms Hughes Wheeler, and brother, Charles “Charlie” Hughes.

No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel. com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Dr. Loyde Hamilton Hudson, age 95, of Fayetteville passed away on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. He was born on June 27, 1923, on a farm in Bruno, Ark., the third child of James W. and Jennie Mabel Massey Hudson. He graduated from Bruno Consolidated School at 16 years of age and entered the University of Arkansas.

World War II found him a teenage second lieutenant positioned for the assault on Japan. As the war ended, he decided to enter medical school. Loyde said doctors stayed in the rear, rarely got killed, had warm food, clean clothes, seldom had lice, and usually had women around.

Dr. Hudson graduated first in his class from the University of Arkansas Medical School. He served internships at Philadelphia General Hospital and residencies at University Medical Center, Little Rock, Ark., and Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. At the tender age of 40, he was ready to begin his practice of medicine in Amarillo, Texas. Ever the student and after eight years in practice, he took a fellowship in cardiovascular surgery under famed heart surgeon, Dr. Michael DeBakey in Houston, Texas. Upon completion of his fellowship, he was appointed director of the surgical medicine and residency program in surgery at McLaren General Hospital, University of Michigan, Flint, Mich.

Upon his retirement, he returned to his roots in Arkansas. Dr. Hudson practiced in Yellville and Bull Shoals Community Hospital. He was a scholar on Civil War military medicine. He was extensively published in both medical and Civil War journals and held two patents on early medical devices. Dr. Hudson was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a long-time adult Sunday School teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Arlene; his sisters, Hilda Blankenship and Beulah Burleson; and his brothers, James Hudson and Doyne Hudson. Dr. Hudson is survived by nieces, Sue Harrison of Fayetteville, Janelle Olney, and Barbara Taylor; nephews, Forrest Hudson, Jim Hudson and Bob Hudson; six great-nieces; four great nephews; ten great-great-nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Betty Hudson; and his loving companion, Loretta Kinion.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at First Baptist Church at 20 E. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. A private family burial will be held at Bruno Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church at 20 E. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Cremation under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

GENTRY — Linda Jean Parsons, 67, of Gentry, Ark., passed away on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. Linda was born on July 9, 1951, in Springdale, Ark., to Sherman and Hazelteen Bowen.

She enjoyed being a hairdresser, taking care of her horses, barrel racing, and most of all, she cherished her family.

She is survived by her husband, Garland, of the home; son, Tony Parsons and wife LaDonna of Springdale; brother, Dennis Bowen of Little Kansas, Okla.; sister, Shirley Craig of Las Vegas, Nev.; granddaughter, Christin Kelly and husband Daniel of Goshen, Ark.; and three great-grandchildren, Parson, Paisley, and Peyton.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Chapel in Springdale from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Friendship Cemetery. Pastor Eldon Bagwell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.

HINDSVILLE — Rea C. Laird passed away Sept. 3, 2018, at the age of 96 years. Rea was born Feb. 3, 1922, at Marble, Ark., to Clarence and Ruth Spradling Elzey.

She made her home at Countryside Retirement for the last 10 years.

She met her husband, Fay Laird, while working at a local tomato canning factory. The were married in 1942 and, after the war, they returned to farming and raised Polled Hereford cattle. Rea was an auction clerk for her husband and the Huntsville Sale Barn. She was known for her lawn mowing and was a waitress at the Valley Inn Cafe in Hindsville. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was baptized in the Christian faith and attended the First Baptist Church in Hindsville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Fay W. Laird; two grandchildren, Buck Vaughan and Jill ReEtta Vaughan; her son-inlaw, Jim Vaughan; one sister, Ruby Presley; stepfather Arnold Sikes; and stepsister Juanita Silvis. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Faye Vaughan; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory with Max Bowlin officiating. Pallbearers will be Frankie Fitch, Jerry Bolinger, Tillman Lane, Jeff Reeves, Jasper Spradling, and Rodney Reynolds.

The family would like to thank Whitener EH Club, Gayle Bramal, Dr. Ivan Box, Tara Box, Lenora Ridel, and the caring Countryside staff. Memorials can be made to the Buck Vaughan Athletic Scholarship, P.O. Box 41, Hindsville, Ark., 72738. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

PEA RIDGE — Teddy Ray Howell passed away Aug. 29, 2018, age 57. Preceded in death by parents and son, Chris. Beloved husband of Debra. Dear father of Desirae Turpin, Melissa Elliott, and Chris Mills. Five grandchildren, Adam, Danika, Keaton, Sydney, and Sceaduwe. Graveside memorial service on Saturday, 3 p.m. at Bentonville Cemetery. Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Ark.

SPRINGDALE — Everett Lee Evans, age 81, of Springdale, Ark., died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. He was born Feb. 28, 1937, in Fayetteville, Ark., the son of Lester Lee and Eithel Shackelford Evans.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Colleen Evans; his parents and two sisters.

Everett was a lineman for Ozark Electric in Fayetteville and retired with 35 years of service. He served in the U.S. Air Force. After retirement he ushered at all the Razorback sporting events for many years. He played golf for decades across Northwest Arkansas and loved following his grandson Jacob’s baseball games.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia Evans; two sons, Kevin Lee and his wife Pamela Stanton Evans of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Daryle Lee Evans of Waxahachie, Texas; two grandchildren, Alexandra Evans and Jacob Evans and wife Lauren; sister Irene Evans Serfass of Fayetteville; brother Hoover and wife Georgie of Springdale, and brother Herman and wife Emily of Springdale; three stepchildren; seven step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, at Moore’s Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. in the chapel Saturday. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

SPRINGDALE — Linda Kay Green, 75, of Springdale, Ark., passed from this life Sept. 4, 2018, at her home. She was born July 6, 1943, in Stuttgart, Ark., to Earl and Hazel (Mitchell) Cummings.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Hazeline King. Linda was a member of First United Methodist Church of Springdale and a volunteer at the Bread of Life Food Pantry.

Left to cherish Linda’s memory are her husband, Jim Green; her children, Alicia Demarest (Chris), Breck Woodson, Al Green, Cara Woodson, Mike Green, and Clay Woodson (Tracy); 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale. Please visit Linda’s memorial page at www.WestfieldChapel.com.

WESLEY — It is with heavy hearts that the family of Roberta Louise Croxton Stith announces her passing on Aug. 31, 2018, at the age of 81.

Just a few short weeks ago, Roberta said goodbye to her son, Kenneth Lloyd Stith. She has gone to join him and her husband of 53 years, Lonnie Dee Stith.

Honesty, kindness, generosity, unconditional love, forgiveness — all qualities Roberta not only held in high esteem, but practiced every day while on this earth.

Roberta had a varied career, working as a RN at Springdale Memorial Hospital and working as the bookkeeper for her husband’s plumbing business. She also volunteered for several organizations, including the Extension Homemakers Club, Growing 59ers. Roberta was a talented quilter and an accomplished cook. She created breathtaking needlework, and her garden was always lush and beautiful.

Roberta’s two main focuses in life were being a wife and a mother. She endeavored to do her best in everything she did. She far excelled greatness when it came to caring for her family. Roberta never walked away from a problem. She would stop everything she was doing — no matter her schedule — and devote her undivided attention to whomever needed her counsel. She would calmly listen, offer sage advice — which was always right — and then feed them.

In her late 70s, Roberta decided she needed a new, simple project to keep her busy. It all started with a few chickens. It didn’t take long for the farm to explode into too much work for a team of 10, but she loved every minute of it. She especially enjoyed attending the Huntsville Farmers’ Market along with her son, Kenny.

No words have been created to express the heartache and loneliness in our lives. We will miss her quick wit and ready smile. Roberta was the center of our worlds. The only constant. No matter how difficult our lives became, we knew we were safe in her arms and in her heart.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Dee Stith; son Kenneth Lloyd Stith; sister Verna May Self and parents, Omer and Florence Croxton.

Roberta will be lovingly remembered by her children; son Gary Stith and wife Wendy of Springdale, Ark., daughter Patty Stith and husband Kevin Early of Wasilla, Alaska; grandchildren, Josh Brenaman and wife Lauren of Springdale, Ark.; Becca Vest and husband Josh of Fayetteville, Ark.; Zachary Stith of Springdale, Ark.; Allison Stith and husband Matt Phillips of Arlington, Texas; Meghan Wheeler and Brett Stith both of Fayetteville, Ark.; four great grandchildren. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were always treated as her own children.

Roberta will be remembered with love and joy by all who met her because she brought lightness and happiness into everyone’s lives.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Homes in Springdale, Ark., Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at 2 p.m. Pastor David Dodson will officiate the service. Please visit www. backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign the online guest book.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Yat Kong Lam was born on April 11, 1939, and passed from this life on May 27, 2018.

Yat is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mee Wan Lam; children, Grace Carr and husband Claude of Tulsa, Okla., Marion Roller and husband David of Rogers, Ark., Sandra Nichols and husband Alan from Milton, Ga., and Gloria Young and husband Paul from Gambrills, Md.; grandchildren, Jason Roller, Elizabeth Roller, Daniel Nichols, Amber Young, Lauren Young, Audrey Nichols, Samuel Carr, and Matthew Nichols; and his brother, Goodrich Lam.

He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather.

He was born in Guangdong (Canton), China, during WWII and moved to Hong Kong when he was 10 years old. He met his future wife, Mee Wan, in middle school. They would both go to Australia for college, work, get married, and have three daughters.

In 1966, they immigrated to Manhattan, N.Y., to reunite with family. Yat worked long hours in restaurants. In 1968, he opened their first restaurant in Woodmere, N.Y. He enjoyed being an entrepreneur and small business owner there for 10 years. During that time, he and his family became U.S. citizens and had a fourth daughter.

In 1978, becoming restless with New York and looking for new opportunities, Yat visited a good friend in Northwest Arkansas who helped him find a market for Chinese restaurants in that area. He moved the family to Rogers, Ark., and went on to own and operate four restaurants and taught culinary classes at a local college. He built long lasting friendships with neighbors, customers, and the community for the next 20 years.

After 30-plus years in the restaurant business, Yat sold his businesses and retired with Mee to warm Cape Coral, Fla. They lived there for 22 years.

A visitation will be held Sept. 8, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, Fla., 33913, with a funeral service to follow. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. leememorialpark.com for the Lam family.

AUBURN, Wash. — Lt. Col. Joshua D. Burgess was born on May 10, 1976, in Wichita, Kan., and passed away Aug. 30, 2018, in Auburn, Wash.

One sister, Rachel Burgess, preceded Josh in death. He is survived by his loving family, wife Alison and sons Wyatt, Landon and Everett; parents Debbie and Dan Burgess; sister Amy [Jeremy] Eckhart; in-laws Jasper and Deborah Lewis; sisters-in-law Jennifer [David] Wimberly, Melissa [Kevin] Campbell; two nephews, Nathan Wimberly and Connor Eckhart, and two nieces, Savannah Jensen and Samantha Eckhart and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

Burgess was a third generation military service member and lived in a variety of places growing up. He graduated in 1994 from Warrensburg High School, Warrensburg, Mo.

In May 2000 he received his bachelor’s of business and financial management degree from the University of Arkansas and concurrently completed the ROTC program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. In 2012 he received a master’s in military history, WWII, American Military University, Manassas, Va. In 2014 he completed a master’s in military operational arts and science, Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

After Air Command and Staff College, he was an executive officer and political affairs strategist at one of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s regional venters working with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in regional engagement before his most current position.

Burgess was a command pilot with more than 3,300 hours in the KC-135R/T and C-130J including numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was assigned as the chief operating officer of Det. 5, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Outside Location Everett,

Wash. He served as the officer in charge at this location and was one of two operational test KC-46A pilots assigned to Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

Awards included Airman’s Medal for heroism, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal to name a few.

Josh was a loving father, dedicated husband, brother, son and friend. He loved to be surrounded by good friends and football. He lived by the verse “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7. His passion for service and boldness in action was evident in all areas of his life. Of his many achievements, he was most proud of his three boys who will carry his legacy forward.

A visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at Moore’s Chapel, 206 West Center St., Fayetteville, Ark., with A celebration of Josh’s life beginning at 12:30 p.m. His interment with military honors will be at Fayetteville National Cemetery, 700 S. Government Ave., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. To sign the online guest book please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Opal Charlene Reeves-Hughes, age 90, peacefully went to her heavenly home on Friday Aug. 24, 2018, at Meadows Place, a caring and loving community assisted living facility in Ellensburg, Wash. She was born on Nov. 27, 1927, in Minnow Creek, Ark., the youngest of six children of Carrie Esther (Hatchett) and Newton Jennings.

Opal graduated from Lamar High School in Lamar, Ark., in 1946. She married Edward Reeves on Aug. 17, 1946. In 1948 they moved from Arkansas to McCleary, Wash., where she worked as a grocery clerk. In 1977 she, Edward and son Steve returned to Arkansas where she lived until 2003 when she returned to Washington State. Opal worked for many years as a grocery clerk.

Opal is survived by daughter, Brenda Reeves-Jones and husband Steve of Anchorage,

Alaska; son Steve Reeves and wife Mone’ of Ellensburg, Wash.; grandchildren, Jason Jones, wife Erica of Anchorage, Alaska, Kevin Jones of Long Beach, Calif., Blake Reeves and wife Samantha, Brooke (Reeves) Richardson and husband Corbin all of Ellensburg, Wash., and great-granddaughter Ella Elizabeth Jones of Anchorage, Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Clyde Reeves in 1978 and second husband Jordan Young Hughes in 2003. She was also predeceased by sisters, Gertie Hickey-Langston, Lois Bromley, Lena Dillard and brothers, Mitchell and Lawrence Jennings.

Our family would like to thank Kittitas County Hospice and Meadows Place Assisted Living for the care and concern they showed our mother over the last fourteen months. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations to be made to Behind the Badge, at behind the badgefoundation.org. Behind the Badge supports law enforcement officers and their families that are injured or killed in the line of duty. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. brooksidefhc.com.